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COURTS Rival piano stores in Medford feud over negative Internet review Store owner seeks $100,000 settlement Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 30, 2015 at 2:18 PM Updated Oct 30, 2015 at 4:13 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 30, 2015 at 2:18 PM Updated Oct 30, 2015 at 4:13 PM » Social News Two rival piano stores in Medford are embroiled in a lawsuit because of a negative Internet review in which the manager of one allegedly said the other shop smelled like "your grandma's attic" and its owner couldn't be trusted. Tom Lowell, owner of Piano Studios and Showcase on Crater Lake Highway, filed a lawsuit in 2013 seeking up to $100,000 from Artistic Piano on Biddle Road and the store's manager, Matthew Wright. The case is scheduled to go to trial in March 2016. In the lawsuit, Lowell said Wright posted a Google review in 2012 in which Wright pretended to have been a customer visiting Lowell's store. The review allegedly said a member of Lowell's sales staff falsely claimed a piano at Piano Studios and Showcase was five years old when it was actually at least 15 years old, and therefore less valuable. The review allegedly claimed Lowell falsely says he sells Steinway pianos. The misrepresentations were proof "this guy can't be trusted," the review allegedly said. The review also allegedly made a negative comment about the smell of Piano Studios and Showcase. In an amended complaint, Lowell later dropped his allegation that the review contained a negative comment about odor. In the lawsuit, Lowell defended the reputation of his store, saying the date of manufacture of the piano in question was clearly marked as 1990 on a large price tag. He said he does, in fact, sell Steinway pianos to customers that include Southern Oregon University, and the premises "do not have any foul odors or smell like 'grandma's attic.' " Lowell said he called the telephone number associated with the person who posted the negative Google review. Wright answered the phone and said, "Artistic Piano," according to the lawsuit. Lowell said the review harmed his business and reputation in the community. He also has suffered stomach pain, sleeplessness, worry, frustration, mental anguish, embarrassment and emotional distress, the lawsuit said. Eric Werner, the founder, president and service manager of Artistic Piano, said Lowell is overly litigious. Werner said several of the lawyers hired by Lowell have quit the case and Lowell is now representing himself. "They realize he has no case," Werner said. Court records show four attorneys have withdrawn from representing Lowell, and no lawyer is currently listed as representing him in the case. Werner declined further comment because of the pending litigation. In a response filed in court regarding the lawsuit, the defendants, Wright and Artistic Piano, said Wright is an employee of Artistic Piano and did post a Google review that "was based upon personal knowledge and was truthful." The response said Wright posted "honest expressions of opinion" in the review. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 30, 2015 at 2:18 PM Updated Oct 30, 2015 at 4:13 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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